Chilmark: Small world

U.S. National Park Service Ranger Suzan Schaaf greets visitors and leads historical tours at Pecos National Historic Park, Pecos, New Mexico. —Ed Grazda

It’s Tuesday morning, and I just removed a tick from my hip, the larval size, a dark dot the size of a pinhead. I can tell it’s only been attached briefly, and hope that I am safe from any dreaded effects. Stay vigilant, and check yourselves and loved ones daily.

I’ll admit that when my husband and I went out West last month, I looked forward to warm weather, and arrived to rain and flurries in Santa Fe, followed by a thankful few sunny warm days. At the program I attended, there was a participant, Catherine TerBurgh, who had lived on-Island in 1975-76 when her new husband, a carpenter, got a job here. Although she loved it, they couldn’t afford to stay. My husband was on his own four-day adventure, and stopped at Pecos National Historic Park, where U.S. National Park Service Ranger Suzan Schaaf greeted him. Of course she asks everyone where they are from, and when he said, “Martha’s Vineyard,” it turned out she had lived in Edgartown in the 1970s when “Jaws” was being filmed. She worked at the Black Dog, and proudly still has her Larsen’s Fish Market T shirt. Both connections made me think of a short piece Shirley Mayhew wrote about Six Degrees of Separation from Martha’s Vineyard.

The other day I paid a visit to Ginnie Jones’ shop, now called Focs’le Locker, on Basin Road in Menemsha, which is still sporting its old sign, Lambert’s Cove Glass, outside the front door. However, Ginnie is on her own this year. It seems impossible to enter her shop and leave empty-handed. She has an excellent selection of new and used books, ranging from the Vineyard and maritime history (her specialty) to children’s books and excellent summer reads. Whether you are looking for an elegant Shetland wool sweater or a small gift, you won’t be disappointed. She carries some wonderful items made on Madagascar and other islands by local women’s cooperatives. There are unique purses and small bags, gorgeous print napkins, handmade paper, and small needlework blank cards, besides silk scarves, mugs, prints, art, and just too much to mention. It’s a bit like a treasure hunt; be prepared to spend a little time exploring. I look forward to bringing my niece and nephew down to pick books when they visit from Germany this summer.

On Thursday, June 15, at 8 pm, and Saturday, June 17, at 6:30 pm, the Yard presents Adele Myers’ “The Dancing Room,” featuring collaborator and interactive media artist John Slepian and ongoing collaborator and composer Josh Quillen, of Sō Percussion. Visual and lighting direction were created by Kathy Couch. Performed in the round by four female athletes of the heart for no more than 30 audience members, “The Dancing Room” is an intimate visual wonderland of illumination, laughter, and elegance. Tickets available online at dancetheyard.org/bessie-schonberg-fellows-2017, or call 508-645-9662. Check the website for morning dance classes and daily yoga classes.

The Chilmark Library will host the Jim Thomas Spirituals Choir, presenting the U.S. Slave Song Project, dedicated to researching, performing, and educating the public about authentic U.S. slave songs circa 1619-1865, also known as Negro spirituals, on Wednesday, June 21, at 5 pm. Stories and Songs continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 am.

The M.V. Seacoast Defense Chapter of the DAR’s document-shredding event is on Saturday, June 17, from 10 am to 1 pm, at the M.V. Regional High School parking lot. The cost is $15 (cash only) for every six bags/boxes of documents to be shredded onsite.

If you’re hankering for a Chicken and Ribs Barbeque with potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, beverage, and dessert, you can get takeout, or eat in, at the First Baptist Church Parish House on William Street in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, June 17, at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $15; call 508-693-1539 for reservations or more info.

The Home Port restaurant reopens for the season on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18.